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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Meeting - September 21, 2026

Video Archive — Monday, September 21, 2026

BodyColumbia, Missouri

SessionVideo Archive

DateMonday, September 21, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 5:08:50

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

5:00

All right, there.

5:01

Good evening, and welcome to the September 21st, 2026 uh Columbia City Council meeting.

5:07

Uh I'll call our meeting to order and ask for all those who are able to please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:25

Under God with liberty and for our Sheila, will you please call rule?

5:34

Miss Elwood.

5:36

Here.

5:37

Miss Sample?

5:38

Here.

5:39

Miss Galway Jones?

5:41

Here.

5:42

Ms.

5:42

Hartman.

5:43

Here.

5:44

Miss Peters?

5:45

Here.

5:46

Miss Buffalo?

5:47

Here.

5:48

And Miss Carroll.

5:49

Here.

5:51

All right.

5:52

Well, good evening, and thank you all for coming out.

5:55

I'll want to do a quick overview of our of our agenda this evening.

5:59

First off, for those who haven't been in here for a couple months, we have a new podium for the public speaking.

6:06

There are two directional arrows to move it up and down to come to be accessible.

6:11

There is a few second delay, so if you are one of our public comments, it might take a little lag before it starts working.

6:18

Quick overview of our agendas.

6:19

Items that are under a consent agenda, it's in the agenda packet.

6:24

Those don't have a public comment period on them, and there's not normally a staff presentation.

6:29

Similarly, if you look at the introduction and first read items, those won't be presentations today.

6:34

And if they have an asterisk, they're gonna be on consent agenda at the next city council meeting and doesn't normally have public comment at it.

6:41

One of the questions or one of the discussions we also have is about rules for public speaking.

6:46

So the public has multiple opportunities to speak at Columbia City Council meetings.

6:50

There are opportunities during the public hearing, old business and new business portions of the agenda.

6:56

I do remind people to keep their remarks to the item, the legislation being discussed.

7:00

At the end of the council meeting, you can talk about whatever you want for three minutes.

7:04

During the legislation issues, individuals are allotted three minutes to speak.

7:08

If you are an organization that is affected by the legislation, you can request five.

8:03

So bills 247, 248, and 2492 need to be moved from the consent agenda to old business because of an amendment sheet that's needed for Bill 249.

8:13

And because they're all related, they all have to go together.

8:16

Are there any other changes to the agenda?

8:20

Seeing none, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda with bills 247 26, 248, 26, and 2492 being moved to old business.

8:28

Do I have a second?

8:29

Second.

8:30

Second by Betsy.

8:31

All those in favor of the agenda as amended say aye.

8:34

Aye.

8:34

Any opposed?

8:36

Okay.

8:36

All right, moving on.

8:38

We have uh a special item at the beginning, so I'm gonna come down to the podium to to read this.

8:43

I'll be right back.

8:54

And I'm gonna demonstrate because I'm not that tall.

9:08

All right, so uh this is this evening's uh presentation of the Senator Chuck Graham Award.

9:14

Um we have two presentations to give today.

9:16

So the Senator Chuck Graham Award was established by the City of Columbia's Disabilities Commission in 2023 in memory of their former chair, Senator Chuck Graham.

9:25

The recipients of this ward have demonstrated consistent attention to and efforts toward inclusion for all persons with disabilities alongside an interest or engagement in policy development at a municipal, state, or federal level that directly impacts the lives of disabil disabled persons.

9:40

This year the commission recognizes two individuals and an organization.

9:44

So I'll read from uh the award and then ask for um the individuals and the representatives to come and join me in receiving their plaque.

9:52

And then we also have members of the disabilities commission and uh Kate Graham here for also photo as well.

9:57

So I'll do the individual ones first.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Energy Management█████████████████17%

Public Engagement████████8%

Procedural███████7%

Affordable Housing███████7%

Short Term Rental Regulation███████7%

Land Use██████6%

Personnel Matters████4%

Technology and Innovation████4%

Zoning████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Columbia City Council Meeting - September 21, 2026

The Columbia City Council met on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting covered a wide range of items including special awards, public hearings, budget approval, adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code with amendments, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) contracts, and several land use and development proposals.

Consent Calendar

Bills B242-26 through B261-26 and Resolutions R173-26 through R178-26 were approved as part of the consent agenda, with Councilmembers Elwood, Sample, and Buffalo voting no on Resolutions R177-26 and R178-26 (related to temporary street closures for football watch parties). All other items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Jessica McNear (Shelter Director, VAC Opportunity Campus) and an associate spoke in strong support of continued city funding for Vidwest, emphasizing its role in helping nonprofits with communications, marketing, and video production. They warned that losing Vidwest would ripple through the nonprofit ecosystem, reducing visibility and sustainability for many organizations.
Tara Warne Griggs (Race Matters Friends) opposed the city's use of ALPR (flock) cameras, citing mass surveillance concerns, disproportionate impact on Black drivers, and lack of transparency. She presented data on vehicle stops showing racial disparities over time.
Steve Morris and Willine Morris (River Hills residents) opposed the annexation of 6000 Scott Boulevard, arguing it violated restrictive covenants and the character of the neighborhood. They referenced a prior bait-and-switch with a nearby lot sold to the city for a service center.
Jim Chaplin (South Fork Lake Estates) opposed the annexation due to lack of a binding site plan, traffic study, and child care safety analysis. He noted that the MN and RMF zoning allow a wide range of uses without adequate buffering from a child care center and active farms.
Linda Coates (River Hills) opposed the annexation, citing increased traffic around Beulah Ralph Elementary and the loss of rural character.
Multiple speakers addressed the FY2027 budget, including Tracy Wilson Mink (Race Matters Friends) who criticized surveillance spending and procurement circumvention, Eugene Elkin who questioned employee raises amid rising costs, Alexis Seals (Moving Ahead program) supporting Vidwest, Jack Meisenbach questioning renewable energy funding, and Matt Shaw (Vidwest) urging a contract for community media.
Extensive public comment on the 2024 IECC involved supporters and opponents. Carolyn Amperon (Sierra Club) proposed modifications to retain renewable energy and testing requirements. Susan Hart, Brooke McCarty, Jennifer James (Habitat for Humanity), Tom Trayview (Board of Realtors), Mike Grellner (Regional Economic Development), Rhonda Carlson, John Page, Cass Carlson, Paul Land, and others urged adopting the staff amendments or retaining the 2018 code due to cost impacts on housing. Mark Haim (Missouri Peace Works), Barbara Hoppe (League of Women Voters), Tyler Travers (Renew Missouri), and Abby Dickinson (Climate and Environment Commission) urged adoption of the 2024 code with or without amendments. Caleb Culbert (on behalf of Diner Steam/PeakMade) requested a six-month delay.
On the short-term rental at 122 N. Greenwood, Jason Sche (applicant) asked the council to approve based on staff recommendation, offering to reduce nights to 120. Neighbors Laura Mitchell, Teresa Folsom, and others voiced opposition citing density, loss of housing, and traffic.
Joe Gibbs opposed the AMI project, preferring the current system. Carolyn Amperon (Sierra Club) supported AMI.
Public comments on the StoneCreek Estates plat included West Bolton (Allstate Consultants) presenting traffic analysis and design adjustments.

Discussion Items

Special Item: Presentation of the Senator Chuck Graham Award to Joyce and Gordon Spainhower and Love Coffee for disability advocacy.
Appointments: Council appointed members to boards and commissions via voice and roll call votes, including Heather Hargrove, Jamie Varvaro, and Michael Griggs to the Convention and Visitors Advisory Board; Joanna Trachtenberg to Planning and Zoning Commission; and others.
Public Hearing – Providence Road and Blue Ridge Road Roundabout: Staff presented the project ($1.16 million, quarter-cent sales tax funded, construction summer 2028). Council approved motion unanimously.
Public Hearing – Stewart Road PCCE #41 Sewer: Staff described the project ($460,000, summer 2027). Questions addressed a property owner unwilling to grant easement; staff plans to continue design and adjust if needed. Council approved.
Public Hearing – Annexation of 6000 Scott Boulevard: Staff presented proposed MN and RMF zoning. Public opposed due to covenant violations, traffic, and lack of study. Council noted it was only the public hearing; second reading on October 5. Councilmembers expressed support for affordable housing in the area.
Old Business – FY2027 Budget (B209-26): The budget was amended to include a correct personnel appendix and $4,500 for Human Rights Commission mediation services. Council discussed Office of Violence Prevention staffing and timeline. The budget passed unanimously as amended.
Old Business – 2024 IECC (B241-26): Council debated six amendments. After extensive discussion: Amendment 1 (C405.15 renewable energy systems) PASSED; Amendment 2 (C406 additional efficiency) PASSED; Amendment 3 (C403.7.8/3.7.9 controls) FAILED; Amendment 4 (C405.2.10/5.3.3 lighting) FAILED; Amendment 5 (R402 thermal envelope) FAILED; Amendment 6 (R403.3.7 duct testing) PASSED. Implementation date amended to April 1, 2027. Ordinance passed as amended 7-0.
Old Business – Short-Term Rental at 122 N. Greenwood (B245-26): Staff recommended denial per Planning and Zoning Commission. Council discussion focused on density, 300-foot rule, and impacts. The ordinance failed 3-4 (yes: Hartman, Peters, Carroll; no: Elwood, Sample, Galway Jones, Buffalo).
Old Business – Bay Hills PD (B250-26): Amendment correcting exhibit passed; ordinance approved.
Old Business – AMI Agreements (B253-26) and Bonds (B260-26): Council approved both ordinances after staff presentation on benefits, cost ($41.8 million), and communication plan. Concerns about subcontractors addressed. Both passed unanimously with amendments correcting dollar figures.
Old Business – StoneCreek Estates (B247-26, B248-26, B249-26): Moved from consent for amendment correction. Staff and applicant presented traffic study, design adjustments for block length, and connectivity. Council approved all three unanimously.

Key Outcomes

FY2027 Budget Adopted (7-0) with amendments.
2024 IECC Adopted (7-0) with amendments 1, 2, and 6; implementation delayed to April 1, 2027; amendments 3, 4, 5 rejected.
Short-Term Rental CUP Denied (3-4).
Bay Hills PD Plan Approved (7-0).
AMI Agreements and Special Obligation Bonds Approved (7-0) with amendments.
StoneCreek Estates Annexation, Design Adjustments, and Preliminary Plat Approved (7-0 each).
Consent Agenda Approved except three councilmembers voted no on R177-26 and R178-26.
Motion Passed: Council requested a staff report on the legality of an administrative delay for demolition permits of National Historic Registry properties, to be presented at the second meeting in October.
Directive: Council requested an update from the Office of Violence Prevention at the October 5 meeting.

Meeting Transcript

All right, there. Good evening, and welcome to the September 21st, 2026 uh Columbia City Council meeting. Uh I'll call our meeting to order and ask for all those who are able to please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Under God with liberty and for our Sheila, will you please call rule? Miss Elwood. Here. Miss Sample? Here. Miss Galway Jones? Here. Ms. Hartman. Here. Miss Peters? Here. Miss Buffalo? Here. And Miss Carroll. Here. All right. Well, good evening, and thank you all for coming out. I'll want to do a quick overview of our of our agenda this evening. First off, for those who haven't been in here for a couple months, we have a new podium for the public speaking. There are two directional arrows to move it up and down to come to be accessible. There is a few second delay, so if you are one of our public comments, it might take a little lag before it starts working. Quick overview of our agendas. Items that are under a consent agenda, it's in the agenda packet. Those don't have a public comment period on them, and there's not normally a staff presentation. Similarly, if you look at the introduction and first read items, those won't be presentations today. And if they have an asterisk, they're gonna be on consent agenda at the next city council meeting and doesn't normally have public comment at it. One of the questions or one of the discussions we also have is about rules for public speaking. So the public has multiple opportunities to speak at Columbia City Council meetings. There are opportunities during the public hearing, old business and new business portions of the agenda. I do remind people to keep their remarks to the item, the legislation being discussed. At the end of the council meeting, you can talk about whatever you want for three minutes. During the legislation issues, individuals are allotted three minutes to speak. If you are an organization that is affected by the legislation, you can request five. So bills 247, 248, and 2492 need to be moved from the consent agenda to old business because of an amendment sheet that's needed for Bill 249. And because they're all related, they all have to go together. Are there any other changes to the agenda? Seeing none, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda with bills 247 26, 248, 26, and 2492 being moved to old business. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Betsy. All those in favor of the agenda as amended say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. All right, moving on. We have uh a special item at the beginning, so I'm gonna come down to the podium to to read this.

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